Pedal on Parliament

Riders through Roseburn — Images Andy Catlin www.andycatlin.com

Pedal on Parliament this year was a great success, with more riders than ever before. People from Roseburn got on their bikes too — families, commuters, leisure cyclists and those who just want to be able to get about safely on our streets.

Cycling should be the obvious solution for many of Scotland’s ills — as we have long said in our manifesto. Report after report after report has shown that cycling improves people’s health, cuts congestion, reduces pollution, boosts the economy, and generally provides returns on investment unparalleled by any other form of transport. But these benefits won’t come about just through a bit of training and encouragement. All the research shows that most people won’t cycle unless they have the conditions to do it in that are safe and, just as importantly, in which they feel safe — especially if they have a family. That takes real and sustained investment.

With the upcoming council elections, it was good to hear from local and national politicians about how they will be supporting active travel. Later in the week, we had the opportunity to hear from the Murrayfield and Corstorphine candidates what they will be doing for the CCWEL.